Xerox makes it easy to say thanks to troops

Wednesday

Nov 28, 2007 at 12:01 AMNov 28, 2007 at 7:33 AM

A Xerox Corp. initiative has sent millions of cards to troops serving overseas.

Tori Uthe

It may be difficult to find the right words to express thanks, but around the holiday season it's a common need. An to do just that, Xerox Corp.'s Let's Say Thanks program allows people from across America to send 13 million thank-you cards to soldiers serving overseas, with the click of a computer mouse.

"The program has kept going in rsponse from the public and the volume of people that visit the Xerox web site," said Carl Langsenkamp, a Xerox spokesman.

Originally the program was meant to be a one-time deal - a way for employees to say "thanks" to troops overseas during the holiday season.

In December 2005, employees from the Atlanta Xerox office had children of National Guard units serving overseas draw pictures for cards to be sent to the troops. The cards were printed and handed out to patrons at a local mall to sign. In the first package, 10,000 cards were sent. The program has grown from there and now is Web based.

Anyone can visit the Web site and choose one of a selection of cards created by children from across the nation. Fill it out and Xerox will print it and send it for free. Each card is sent to a random soldier, with a personalized message.

Children from across the country had the opportunity to submit artwork for the cards. Fifty-five designs were selected, including two from the Rochester area. These designs range from traditional patriotic symbols of eagles and flags to trees and globes.

Langsenkamp says people from 13 countries have visited the site and filled out cards.

It is a small token of thanks that goes a long way to making a soldier's day, and can be seen by responses received.

"There are times we seldom hear a thank you, or receive a card or post card saying it," said Specialist Stacey Dill of the Army. "Being so far away from home, it is comforting knowing that there are people back in the states that support us."

For more information about the Let's Say Thanks program or to send a card, visit www.letssaythanks.com.

Tori Uthe can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 218, or tuthe@mpnewspapers.com.